Lower Salt Wash Trail

Location: Along the eastern side of Arches National Park

Length: 13.5 mile roundtrip
Elevation: 300 feet
Time to Allow: 6 to 8 hours
Season: Year round

The lower portion of the Salt Wash is a tough, hot demanding hike from Wolfe Ranch to the Colorado River at the edge of the park. You'll travel through one the most remote areas of the park as the serpentine, rock strewn canyon gradually deepens until its walls tower 1,200 feet overhead. You see salt springs flow from cracks in the rock along the way. Like the Upper Salt Wash, you'll need to negotiate heavy thickets. (Unfortunately, there are no campsites at or near the river.)

Things to Know

Hiking in the Arches backcountry has some special perils. In the summer, temperatures routinely climb above 100 degrees F. There are few reliable sources of water so an ample supply -- at least 1 gallon per day -- must be carried. Bring a hat and sunscreen. In all seasons, but most notably spring and fall, sudden rainstorms can cause dangerous flash flooding in narrow canyons. And remember, it's a lot easier to climb up a steep section of slickrock than to come back down...A permit is required to camp overnight, which is available for a small fee at the visitor center. There are no designated campsites in the backcountry and no fires are allowed.

By Mail
Arches National Park
PO Box 907
Moab, UT 84532-0907

By Phone
Visitor Information
(435) 719-2299

Headquarters
(435) 719-2100

By Fax
(435) 719-2305